2012 Volkswagen Golf r problems
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Golf series and the successor to the Golf Mk6. It was introduced in Berlin on 4 September 2012, before a public launch at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sales in Europe began with the model in November 2012.
Marketed in three-door and five-door hatchback, van, and estate forms, the Golf Mk7 shares the MQB platform with the third generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia.
In November 2016, Volkswagen presented a facelift of the Golf Mk7. It was replaced in December 2019 by the Golf Mk8, which is built on the MQB Evo platform. Production of the e-Golf and the Golf Variant ended in mid-2020.
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Common 2012 Volkswagen Golf r problems
The Volkswagen Golf R, introduced in 2012, is a high-performance variant of the popular Golf hatchback, known for its all-wheel-drive system, turbocharged engine, and sporty handling. While it has gained a strong following, like any vehicle, it has its set of common problems that buyers should consider.
- Differential Failure: The Golf R's Haldex differential, which manages the all-wheel-drive system, can fail prematurely, leading to a loss of power to the rear wheels. This issue is more common in high-mileage vehicles and can be costly to repair. Regular maintenance and fluid changes can help prevent this issue.
- DSG Transmission Issues: The Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission in the Golf R can experience various issues, such as slipping, jerking, and delayed shifts. These problems can be caused by wear and tear, software issues, or low transmission fluid levels. Regular maintenance and software updates can help prevent these issues.
- Turbocharger Failure: The Golf R's turbocharger can fail prematurely, leading to a loss of power and increased fuel consumption. This issue is more common in high-mileage vehicles and can be caused by wear and tear, insufficient lubrication, or foreign object damage. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent this issue.
- Electrical Issues: The Golf R can experience various electrical issues, such as battery drain, malfunctioning sensors, and faulty wiring. These problems can be caused by wear and tear, corrosion, or software issues. Regular inspections and software updates can help prevent these issues.
- Oil Consumption: Some Golf R engines tend to consume oil faster than normal. Regular checks of oil levels and adherence to oil change schedules are crucial to prevent engine damage.
- Suspension and Brake Wear: The Golf R's high-performance nature can lead to accelerated wear and tear on the suspension and brake components. Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent these issues.
- Water Pump Failure: The Golf R's water pump can fail prematurely, leading to engine overheating and potential engine damage. This issue is more common in high-mileage vehicles and can be caused by wear and tear or manufacturing defects. Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent this issue.
- Thermostat Housing Leaks: The Golf R's thermostat housing can leak, leading to engine coolant loss and potential engine damage. This issue is more common in high-mileage vehicles and can be caused by wear and tear or manufacturing defects. Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent this issue.
- PCV System Clogging: The Golf R's Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system can clog, leading to engine performance issues and potential engine damage. This issue is more common in high-mileage vehicles and can be caused by wear and tear or contamination. Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent this issue.
In summary, while the Volkswagen Golf R is a high-performance hatchback with many appealing features, it is not immune to common problems. Regular maintenance, inspections, and software updates can help prevent many of these issues. Potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and consider them when purchasing a used Golf R.
What is the common issue with Golf R?
VW Golf R Mk7 most common problems
Excessive oil consumption – Issues with the car's PCV could result in rear crank case seals to fail, but regular valve changes should stop this happening. Turbocharger failure – This was only really an issue with earlier cars.
Is the Golf R reliable?
Is a used Volkswagen Golf R hatchback reliable? On the whole, owners report favourably on the Golf R. In our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, the standard Golf, in petrol form, finished 18th out of 28 cars in the family car category, with an overall score of 90.4%.
How long will a Golf R engine last?
How long do Volkswagen Golf engines last? A well cared for Golf engine can last as long as a decade, but the average engine that's encountered heavy use and potential wear and tear through its lifespan should last at least 5 years before it develops the need for a little TLC.
Is Golf R insurance high?
Factors that increase Volkswagen Golf insurance rates include: Engine size: Larger engines, such as the 1.5 TSI, have higher premiums than smaller 1.0-litre variants. Performance models: The Golf R Motion TSI and Golf GTI 230 command higher premiums than standard models.
What is the common issue with Golf R?
Carbon buildup: The Volkswagen Golf R is known to experience carbon buildup in the intake valves, which can lead to engine misfires and reduced performance. Water pump failure: Some Volkswagen Golf R owners have reported water pump failure, which can cause overheating and engine damage.
How long will a Golf R engine last?
How long do Volkswagen Golf engines last? A well cared for Golf engine can last as long as a decade, but the average engine that's encountered heavy use and potential wear and tear through its lifespan should last at least 5 years before it develops the need for a little TLC.
Are mk6 Golf R's reliable?
As for reliability, they're not bad considering they're getting on now, but we'd want to see evidence of full and regular services by a specialist, and it's probably better to stick to a manual car as opposed to the DSG automatic.
Is the Golf R good on fuel?
And so, it seems, do miles when you're driving a car that has a lot going for it. As you'll have read above, the Golf R's performance and fuel economy have struck an impressive balance, averaging more than 35mpg to this point, while offering the potential to thoroughly excite on back roads.
2012 Volkswagen Golf r car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Golf r problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Volkswagen Golf r vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2012 Volkswagen Golf r complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Volkswagen Golf r.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-11-24
- VIN: WVWRF7AJ8CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A FAILURE MODE WHERE THROTTLE IS CUT SUDDENLY, ALMOST NO POWER. THEREAFTER CAR ONLY MOVES A MAXIMUM OF APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, MANY LIGHTS ARE ON INST. PANEL. IT CANNOT BE RESET WITHOUT SPECIALIZED DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. THE CODES GENERATED ARE IN BOTH THE ENGINE COMPUTER AND THE ABS RELATED CONTROL UNIT. SINCE THEY ARE IN THE LATTER, THEY CANNOT BE CLEARED WITH TYPICAL OBDII CODE READERS EITHER. WITHOUT FULLY CLEARING THOSE CODES, THE THROTTLE IS NOT RESTORED. IT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY AT 65+ MPH. THIS IS 3RD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN LAST THREE MONTHS, EACH TIME WITH DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS ATTEMPTED. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND HAS NO ACCIDENT HISTORY OR ANY SERIOUS WORK BEYOND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, ALL DONE BY THE PRIOR OWNER ACCORDING TO THE FACTORY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE BY A VW DEALER. TROUBLE CODES INDICATE IT IS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MALFUNCTION, AND BY THE THIRD INCIDENT A CODE ALSO INDICATED THERE WAS A DEFECT. ONLINE SEARCHES ALSO INDICATE EARLIER YEAR VW/AUDI MODELS WITH SIMILAR ENGINES AND THROTTLES WERE RECALLED FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING INVOLVING THE THROTTLE. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROX. 10,000 MILES, AND FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES. TO BE CLEAR, THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT BOTH THE THROTTLE OR ITS WIRING AND THE FACTORY FAILURE MODE PROGRAMING. THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY GOES ALMOST DEAD IN THE FAILURE MODE. WHEN IT HAPPENS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT IS DIFFICULT OR SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY IN ANY SAFE MANNER. THAT DESIGN IN ITSELF IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD ALSO BE MODIFIED TO ALLOW SAFE MANEUVERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TYPICAL FREEWAY AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
Positive 2012 Volkswagen Golf r car reviews
Other years of Volkswagen Golf r
Are you having problems with your 2012 Volkswagen Golf r?
Dayne Oberbrunner 2024-04-12
I hope you had a great drive home! It sounds like the Type R lived up to your expectations. From your description, it seems like the car has great handling, fit and finish, and a user-friendly interface. It's interesting to hear that the ride is comparable to your Mercedes 350SLK. However, it's a shame that VW didn't include a Homelink transmitter. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Winston Schmeler 2024-04-01
I've owned my R for 6 years now and I still absolutely adore it! When I drove it off the lot for 35.5k, it was tough to find since dealers were not budging much on this model. However, the performance, styling, hatchback functionality, and build quality are all top-notch (as they should be for the price). The design beats anything in its class (looking at you Subaru, EVO, Ford RS, Honda Type-R etc...). As an owner, it's been cool to drive a car that I don't see at every other turn like most cars in LA. The interior of the car is very spacious and can easily fit 5 adults, making it excellent for very tall drivers. Yet, it still maintains a short footprint, making it easier to squeeze into tight spaces. This car has been so much fun to drive, it's been difficult to not get into trouble as this car can haul some serious ass. The AWD drive is a step up over any FWD, but could still use some tweaking. At times, you still get some torque steer and it seems to kick in late on heavy cornering. There's a bit of turbo lag due to its larger turbo, but once you wind up the engine to 3500 RPM, this thing is a beast! You need to be an experienced manual trans driver to get the most out of this car. There's a bit of body roll as well, but the sport suspension makes for a good balance of comfort and responsive handling, which is important when driving in LA county's notoriously terrible roads. My sore points: some of the radio settings are buried under too many menus, the body roll, the not-so-perfect AWD, the seats aren't super comfortable for long hauls, and the A/C temperature is only either cold or not. Luckily, there are many fan settings and vents to maneuver the air around. The electronic speed limiter is a bit of a bummer, but overall, the car feels heavy and solid. The exhaust note, although not obnoxious, can definitely get your blood pumping. As for maintenance, the dealer handled the first 36k miles, which made the first 3 years super easy.I recently had to replace the clutch slave cylinder at 55K, but other than that, the car has been very reliable. I've been pleasantly surprised with its overall performance, especially for a European car. I still love my R and have no plans to get rid of it. This one is going to be a lifer.